IHA Daily Briefing: March 4

URGENT: 340B Legislation is Positioned for a Vote-Immediate Outreach to Your House Representative Is Critical
IHA's Illinois Patient Access to Pharmacy Protection Act (HB 2371 SA 2) has been moved to the Illinois House floor and may be called for a vote at any time. In response, Big Pharma has escalated their opposition campaign, investing millions of dollars to mischaracterize the 340B program and undermine and discredit the hospitals that rely on it. At this pivotal time, lawmakers must hear directly from you and other key stakeholders and supporters of your hospital.

ACTION REQUESTED: Contact your House Representative immediately to request a meeting while House legislators are in district prior to returning to Springfield on March 18. IHA members can click here to identify your House lawmaker and their contact information. Click here to access IHA's digital messaging platform to send a pre-populated message directly to your House legislator urging a vote on HB 2371 SA 2.

Your direct outreach is imperative to ensure lawmakers hear the hospital community's voice above Big Pharma's. Hospitals must push back against Big Pharma's false narratives and provide specific examples about the critical role the 340B program plays in expanding access to essential healthcare services and lifesaving medications for your patients. Make clear the urgency of passing HB 2371 SA 2 in light of looming federal Medicaid cuts facing Illinois hospitals, and ask your Representative to co-sponsor the legislation and share their support directly with House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch and urge him to call the bill for a vote.

Click here to access an IHA fact sheet with accurate information about the 340B program and the proposed legislation-designed to counter misleading claims from the pharmaceutical industry.

Staff contact: Dave Gross

OAG Foundation Training Webinar April 2
The Office of the Illinois Attorney General (OAG) has announced an upcoming Foundation Training webinar on Responding to Acute Sexual Assault Survivors (Foundation Training) on April 2, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CT. Attending Foundation Training fulfills the statutory requirements for emergency department clinical staff at both treatment and transfer facilities under the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA). To register for the April 2 Foundation Training webinar, click here.

Staff contact: Cassie Yarbrough

Defense Organizations Urge Vigilance for Iranian Cyber Threats to U.S. Critical Infrastructure
U.S. defense organizations are warning organizations to be vigilant for potential targeted cyber activity against U.S. critical infrastructure and other U.S. entities by Iranian-affiliated cyber actors. Organizations are strongly encouraged to implement mitigations from a June 2025 fact sheet on potential actions by Iranian-affiliated cyber actors who may target U.S. devices and networks due to ongoing geopolitical tensions. A cybersecurity advisory from the American Hospital Association (AHA) said that it has not received any specific credible threat information targeting U.S. healthcare at this time, but noted that Iran does possess advanced offensive cyber capabilities that it has used in the past to conduct disruptive ransomware attacks. In response, the FBI is recommending heightened cyber and physical security vigilance and is asking organizations to report any relevant suspicious activity.

IDFPR Issues First License Through New International Medical Graduate Pathway
Yesterday, the Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Division of Professional Regulation announced it issued the very first license under a new pathway that will allow internationally trained physicians to provide care to the people of Illinois. The International Medical Graduate (IMG) licensure pathway gives trained, qualified healthcare professionals the opportunity to practice medicine in Illinois under the supervision of a fully licensed physician at an approved institution for a period of two years.

Upon successful completion of the two-year supervised period, IMGs may then apply for an International Medical Graduate Restricted License, which will allow them more independence to practice within an area that has been designated to have a shortage of health professionals. IMGs are then eligible to apply for a full Illinois medical license after two years of practicing under the International Medical Graduate Restricted License.

The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.

Briefly Noted

More than 650,000 water bottles distributed in Illinois and Wisconsin have been recalled after it was determined the water was "bottled under insanitary conditions." A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report said the recall applies to certain Valley Springs Artesian Gold water products, including pure water, distilled water and water with fluoride.

The FDA also announced yesterday it has issued 30 warning letters to telehealth companies for making false or misleading claims regarding compounded GLP-1 products offered on their websites. The letters identified two main concerns: companies suggested their products were the same as FDA-approved medications, and they failed to clearly disclose who actually made the drugs-instead branding the products in a way that implied the telehealth company was the compounder. The FDA emphasized that compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, so they are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed.

Leading the News

OSF named among nation's top places to work in health care

Journal Star

OSF HealthCare has been named among the nation's top places to work in healthcare, according to a new list by a national healthcare news agency. Becker's Hospital Review named OSF among the top 165 places to work in healthcare in the United States, citing their investment in employees through a wide range of different programs, such as strong time-off benefits, tuition support and a wellbeing program focused on financial advice and mental health resources, along with responsiveness to employee feedback, low voluntary turnover and workforce development.

Why HSHS earned a spot on Becker's 2026 top workplaces list

The State Journal-Register

Hospital Sisters Health System has once again landed on Becker's list of top healthcare workplaces for 2026. The recognition is part of Becker's Healthcare's annual list of 165 organizations honored for strong workplace culture and support, according to a community announcement.

Here are the colleges in Illinois that produce the highest salaries

The State Journal-Register

University of Chicago graduates are bringing home the most income, compared to every other college in Illinois. UChicago graduates show the highest median earnings, four years after graduation, when compared with more than 150 Illinois institutions, according to federal data.

5 healthcare roles with the most signing bonuses: Indeed

Becker's Hospital Review

U.S. job postings for physicians and surgeons on the Indeed website are most likely to include a signing bonus, although the share has declined year over year.